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Albany Pine Bush News

ALBANY NY – The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission will host “Picturing Nature: A Practical Guide to Nature Photography” presented by Denise Hackert-Stoner of Naturelogues on Sunday July 12, 2015 from 1:00pm to 4:00 pm. Denise is a nature photographer, naturalist and birder living in the Albany area of New York State. She and her husband Scott run Naturelogues, a small, local business celebrating the beauty of nature in photos. Denise’s nature photography has won awards at the Hagaman Art Show, the William K Sanford Library Photo Contest, the Friends of the IBA juried art show, and the Fire Island National Seashore Wildlife Photo Contest. Denise’s work has been exhibited throughout the Capital Region, including The Albany Heritage Area Visitor Center, Broadway Art Center in Albany, The Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy, William K Sanford Library and Professor Java’s in Colonie, Moon and River Café in Schenectady, The Crandall Library in Glens Falls, and at many locations in the Art de Cure galleries throughout the region.

“There is incredible beauty in nature: from magnificent birds, flowers and landscapes to the tiniest insects,” explains Hackert-Stoner. She adds, “This workshop is suitable for all levels of photographers with a variety of equipment. If you have a camera, from a cellphone camera to a digital SLR, we encourage you to bring it!”

This workshop will include an indoor session that will focus on the basic elements of nature photography and how to apply these elements to close-ups, landscapes and wildlife photography, followed by a one hour hike in the Pine Bush to practice skills learned. The cost is $10 per person, pre-registration is required and the workshop is open to ages 10 and up. “If you are interested in nature photography this is sure to be an excellent learning experience”, says Sara Poggi-Decker Environmental Educator and Public Program Coordinator. She adds “This is a great opportunity to work on your photography skills if you are interested in entering the juried photo exhibit to be held at the Discovery in the fall.” Pine Bush Perspectives: A Juried Photo Exhibit will be open to all ages and levels of photographers. The photos must be submitted by the original photographer and have been taken in the Pine Bush. More details will be posted on AlbanyPineBush.org and in the Discovery Center.

The 3,200 – acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP), located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch-pine scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary fire-dependent habitat provides homes for many plants and animals and contains 55 New York State-designated wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly. The Preserve is a National Natural Landmark, a New York State Unique Area, Bird Conservation Area and a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area. Characterized by rolling sand dunes and miles of trails, the Preserve offers visitors many recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is a public-private partnership created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the APBP and provide the public with educational and recreational opportunities.

As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center is a state-of-the-art “green” certified interpretive center where visitors come to understand why the Pine Bush is rare and special. A visit to this unique destination is an exciting exploration where learning comes naturally through interactive exhibits, an outdoor Discovery Trail, and numerous programs on the ecology, natural history, cultural history and management of the Pine Bush. Admission to the Discovery Center is free (there is a small fee for programs). The Center is open daily weekdays 9am-4pm, weekends and most holidays 10am-4pm. For more information, visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org or call 518-456-0655.
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